Connecticut leads on securing immigrants’ access to public benefits

Democrats U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii introduced legislation to block the Trump administrations new "public charge" rule for immigrants at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2019.

Democrats U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii introduced legislation to block the Trump administrations new "public charge" rule for immigrants at the U.S. Capitol in

Democrats U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii introduced legislation to block the Trump administrations new "public charge" rule for immigrants at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2019.

Democrats U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii introduced legislation to block the Trump administrations new "public charge" rule for immigrants at the U.S. Capitol in

As Connecticut’s attorney general fights the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule in court, the state’s former attorney general, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, announced new legislation Tuesday to block the measure that targets immigrants’ access to public benefits.

The rule could make it more difficult for immigrants in the U.S. legally to access green cards if they use public benefits, like food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid. Immigrants who federal officials believe might use such benefits in the future could also be denied visas to the country.

Although it has not taken effect yet, the rule is already having a chilling effect on immigrants’ use of government assistance, Blumenthal said.

“The fact is that one in seven adults in immigrant families have already started avoiding public benefits even though they might be entitled to them,” Blumenthal said. “They are deterred from seeking services and benefits that by law they are entitled to receive.”

Introduced with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat of Hawaii, Blumenthal’s legislation opposing the new rule is largely a symbolic measure, unlikely to receive a vote in the Republican-led Senate.

“As long as the Republicans adhere to what President Trump wants and his agenda, they are not going to stand with us,” said Hirono.

The rule change is set to take effect Oct. 15. But Connecticut and other states have sued to oppose it, setting up the courts, again, as a battleground over the president’s immigration policy.

Last week, Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong requested an injunction against the rule, claiming it excludes working class immigrants to the benefit of whiter, wealthier people.

“If the Trump Administration is not stopped, nearly 200,000 people in Connecticut will be harmed and their access to basic human needs like health care, food and housing will be jeopardized,” Tong said. “This is needlessly cruel and heartless and we are doing everything we can to stop this attack on immigrant families.”

Federal immigration law has for years had provisions to screen out people who might become a burden on society. The rule is an expansion and clarification of existing legal tenets, said Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, at a White House briefing in August.

“Through the public charge rule, President Trump’s administration is reinforcing the ideals of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, ensuring that immigrants are able to support themselves and become successful here in America,” said Cuccinelli.

The legal fight over the rule is unfolding in multiple cases in federal courts in New York, California and Washington. A ruling in Connecticut, New York and Vermont’s joint lawsuit is expected before the rule would take effect, said Sam Norton, a spokeswoman for the Connecticut Attorney General’s office.

This week, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus collectively submitted amicus briefs in several of the lawsuits. The causcuses said the rule “was written with the clear intent of intimidating and discriminating against immigrants of color,” many of whom access public benefits. U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes of Waterbury did not sign the amicus brief, although she is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro supported House legislation to block the public charge rule in June. The House measure has not received a vote yet.

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